Paramount Football and Staff Appreciation Share the Stage!

Friday night’s varsity football matchup between Paramount High School and Lakewood High School brought the Pirate community together for an evening of excitement and celebration. Students, families and supporters filled the stadium, while staff from Paramount High School and Odyssey STEM Academy were recognized as part of a special Staff and Teacher Appreciation Night. The celebration brought together football, band, cheer and song, highlighting the many people who contribute to the energy and community surrounding Friday nights at Paramount.

That spirit took center stage at halftime, when nearly 100 cheer, song and staff participants came together for a Hawaiian-themed performance coordinated by Gerlhen Perez. Teachers and staff performed alongside students, with the routine culminating as Christine Centeno and Sean Torres were raised in shoulder stunts by members of the cheer team. The moment brought this year’s District theme of “Uplift-Empowered to Encourage” to life in a very visible way—students quite literally lifting up educators who encourage, support and inspire them throughout the year.

There was plenty of excitement on the football field. After trailing Lakewood 2–0 at halftime, Paramount responded in the third quarter when Derrick Jackson scored on a 22-yard touchdown run, giving the Pirates a 7–2 lead. Lakewood eventually answered with the deciding touchdown late in the fourth.

From the determination shown on the field to the music, performances and celebration of educators, the night reflected a Pirate community coming together to encourage, celebrate and uplift one another.